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Why did the United Nations ban imports of uncertified rough diamonds from Sierra Leone in 2000?

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Diamonds-for-weapons trade in Africa — Blood diamond Map illustrating the diamonds-for-weapons trade that took place in Africa near the end of the 20th century.

The United Nations banned imports of uncertified rough diamonds from Sierra Leone in 2000 to curb the funding of rebel forces through the sale of "blood diamonds" or "conflict diamonds". These diamonds were mined in areas controlled by rebel groups, such as the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), and sold to finance their brutal civil war against the internationally recognized government. The proceeds from these illicit diamond sales were used to purchase arms and war materials, perpetuating violence and atrocities against civilians. The ban aimed to disrupt this funding stream and protect the legitimate diamond trade by preventing conflict diamonds from entering the global market.12345